I am thinking about my father a lot these days. That may be a strange way to start a blog (my first) but my wife is due to give birth at the end of January and that has turned my thoughts backwards as well as to the future. I remember him in the round (he has been dead fifteen years) and recall his various positive qualities (kindness, courtesy, erudition and common sense) with his more infuriating (he could be a 'mood hoover' sometimes) and wonder how I will measure up as a father.
As I drift in to my forties, I have increasingly taken on his views and values about society, as well as that quality of inexuberance (is that a valid word?). However, it strikes me that my generation strives to maintain the appearance of youth (consider all the grooming products available to both sexes - should that be 'genders' nowadays? - the way we dress and the views we profess) whereas as my father's was just more comfortable with the notion of getting older and eventually dying. I would be loathe to admit this to my friends, but I am much more like Mark from Peepshow (watch it if you haven't already) than Jez - my guilty secret is that I would like to have a pipe and smoking jacket. Will fatherhood push me further into old fashioned middle age or will I claw back some rebellious quality? Will a baby stir up youth or senescance?
Monday, 14 January 2008
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7 comments:
Good luck being a dad.
Thanks - when I have finished nappy changing, I might get round to expanding on the notion behind this rather reactionary site.
Having been a fatyher two times with two separate mothers, I can tell you it is one of the most challenging AND rewarding times you will have. Enjoy it, don't get stressed -out. Remember, 99% of the kids turn out great...well, at least 80% right?
Check out my blog and post something insightful!
http://howardsterno.blogspot.com
Howard,
Sorry, I did log into your blog last week and thought your points good and fun - but did not have anything to add. However, I just tried to post something and could not connect. Have you changed the link?
Wheatley
Senility definitely... early signs are already there old boy, and most likely accompanied by loss of bowel control on Friday
Someone wise (can't remember who but I think he was a stand-up comedian) said some dozen or so years ago that "you know you are getting old when you start to smell like your father". I laughed at the time, but as I get older it seems disturbingly real. I just pity my wife...
And you are a long way from being a curmudgeon yet.
Thanks - the curmudgeonly quality is deepening every day!
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